Charles Gracie Jiu Jitsu Program in Lathrop

Jiu-Jitsu, the oldest form of martial art, originated inIndia more than 2,000 years before Christ. Developed by Buddhist monks, itspread through China and eventually settled in Japan. Over the years, since theMeiji restoration in the last century, Jiu-Jitsu became practically extinct inJapan surviving only as a very restricted sportive form of Judo.

In 1914, Japanese Jiu-Jitsu champions Esai Maeda and Inomata arrived in Brazilto help establish a Japanese immigration colony in that developing country. Hewas aided by Gastao Gracie, a Brazilian scholar and politician of Scottishdecent. To show his gratitude, the Jiu-Jitsu master taught the basic secrets ofthat ancient fighting style to Gastao's son, Carlos Gracie. Carlos and hisbrothers, particularly Helio, changed the original art, adding new techniquesand discarding older, less efficient ones. At that point, Jiu-Jitsu becameBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a more efficient and completefighting system.

Jiu-jitsu, originally a sport for the elite, becameincreasingly popular and now has a large following. Rio is currently theBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu capital of the world with the most number of schools andpractitioners. Today, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is being spread worldwide thanks toCarlos Gracie teaching hisbrothers, sons, and grandsons.

In 2008, we joined the CharlesGracie Academy Affiliate Schools.

Welcome to the next generation of Gracie tradition -Cortez Martial Arts Academy! Jiu-Jitsu for Strength, Confidence and Safety

Instruction is open to men, women, and children, regardlessof physical condition, age or past experience. The training we provide will surelyhelp practitioners improve their physical condition and ground fighting skills.Furthermore, the training will also help students develop self-confidence anddiscipline. At Cortez Martial Arts we seek to help our students develop on andoff the mat.'